M-DISC

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M-DISC (Millennial Disc)
File:Logo of M-DISC.svg
Media type write once optical disc
Standard DVD, Blu-ray disc
Developed by Millenniata, Inc.
Dimensions 12 cm
Usage Archival storage
Extended from DVD-R, BD-R

M-DISC (Millennial Disc) is a write once optical disc technology available in DVD and Blu-ray forms.

Overview

File:M-disc-03.jpg
M-DISC optical storage media transparency demonstration
File:M-disc-02.jpg
M-DISC media in an open case.
File:LG WH14NS40.jpg
The M-DISC "swirl" logo on an LG Blu-ray optical drive.

M-DISC's design is intended to provide greater archival media longevity.[1] Millenniata claims that properly stored M-DISC recordings will last 1000 years.[2] While the exact properties of M-DISC are a trade secret,[3] the patents protecting the M-DISC technology assert that the data layer is a "glassy carbon" and that the material is substantially inert to oxidation and has a melting point between 200° and 1000 °C.[4][5]

A stress test of the media was performed by the United States Department of Defense, proving at the very least that M-Disc DVDs and Blu-rays are more durable than conventional DVDs and Blu-rays. "The discs were subject to the following test conditions in the environmental chamber: 85°C, 85% relative humidity (conditions specified in ECMA-379) and full spectrum light".[6][7]

Conventional DVD-R and BD-R LTH (Low To High) use recording layers of organic dye and separate reflective layers.[8] Standard (HTL) BD-R and BD-R/DL typically use inorganic data layers, but continue using a reflective layer. M-DISC uses a single inorganic recording layer, which is substantially inert to oxygen, but requires a higher-powered laser. M-DISC does not require the reflective layer. Thus, both the M-DISC and inorganic BD-R physically alter the recording layer, burning a permanent hole in the material. Besides physical damage, failure of the reflective layer, followed closely by degradation of the data layer, are the primary failure modes of all optically recordable disks.

Recorded discs are readable in conventional drives. Available recording capacities are similar to other optical media from 4.7GB DVD-R to 25GB, 50GB BD-R and 100GB BD-XL.

LG Electronics, ASUS and Lite-On [9] produce drives which can record M-DISC media. Ritek produces M-DISC Blu-ray disc media, sold under the Imation, Ritek and M-DISC brands. Verbatim produces co-branded discs, marketed as the "Verbatim M-Disc".[10][11]

History

M-DISC developer Millenniata, Inc. was co-founded by Brigham Young University professors Barry Lunt[12] and Matthew Linford,[13] along with CEO Henry O'Connell and CTO Doug Hansen.[14] The company was incorporated on May 13, 2010 in American Fork, Utah.[15]

References

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External links